Hiking at Hillman State Park

Trails are closed to bicycles and horses during fall and spring big game seasons, except Sundays. Please contact the Pennsylvania Game Commission or Raccoon Creek State Park for specific dates.

Trails are blazed red and difficulty ratings are based on hiking use.

The Game Commission maintains some access roadways through habitat management areas. These roadways may not be open to horses and biking. Read all posted signage.

The park is surrounded by private property and there is a tract of private property in the center of the park. Please respect others privacy and remain on park property only. If property boundaries are unclear, do not disturb the area.

Abby’s Trail

1.9 miles, more difficult hikingThe trail begins at Five Points Extension and passes through pine and hardwood forests and along meadows where PGC wildlife food plots are visible. The trail is named after the beloved dog of Trail Pittsburgh volunteer, Brandon Rouse.

Airport West Trail

2.7 miles, more difficult hikingThis loop trail begins on Kramer Road and follows the ridgeline of a few small valleys. A section of this trail close to the model airport is relatively flat and passes through a large meadow. The rest passes through a hardwood forest. There are two connector trails that connect to Haul Road.

Airport South Trail

1.4 miles, easiest hikingThis short loop begins on Kramer Road and travels south. This trail has many tight turns and offers a short-cut path midway before returning to Kramer Road. Much of the biking community calls this the roller coaster as it has tight turns and some small steep hills.

Colt Trail

1.4 miles, easiest hikingThe trail makes a loop by using a small section of Knowlton Hill Road to return to the parking area. It passes through a pine forest and runs along Short ‘n’ Sweet Trail for a small stretch.

Figure 8 Trail

3.3 miles, more difficult hikingThe trail is accessed by Pitch Pine Trail off Knowlton Road. True to its name it forms two loops where it intersects itself to form a figure eight. This trail also intersects Pitch Pine Trail in two locations. This trail has many sections with roots and steep slopes.

Gelding Trail

0.8 miles, easiest hikingThis wide trail does not have any steep grades and passes through pines for almost its entire length. It begins on Five Points Road on the southern border of the park and ends on Five Points Extension. It intersects Switchback trail in three locations.

Haul Trail

1.8 miles, easiest hikingThis loop trail begins near the intersection of Haul and Kramer roads and follows a ridgeline through a hard wood forest with many tight turns. There is a nice view to the valley below and wildlife, such as turkey and deer are common.

Meadow Trail

1.8 miles, easiest hikingThis loop trail, accessed from Haul Road, is wide and travels over rolling hills. A connector trail joins Old Mare Trail at the western end. This is the main area where mine reclamation occurred and now contains PGC wildlife food plots.

Miller Airport Trail

0.7 mile, more difficult hikingThe trail begins on Miller Airport Road. This trail passes through a wooded area near the western border of the park. It crosses Wetland Trail in two locations. The beginning of the trail is steep and travels through pine forest. It then emerges in large meadows where the PGC food plots are visible.

Old Mare Trail

1.1 miles, easiest hikingThe loop trail is accessed by the Meadow or Wetland trails and passes near PGC wildlife food plots where deer and other wildlife are common.

Pitch Pine Trail

1.1 miles, easiest hikingAccessed from Knowlton Hill Road, the trail passes through a pine plantation and is a favorite of bird watchers. This trail intersects Figure 8 Trail in two locations.

Rouse Trail

3.0 miles, most difficult hikingNamed for Trail Pittsburgh volunteer, Brandon Rouse, the trail begins on Knowlton Hill Road and ends at the old model airport parking lot. Tight turns and steep climbs through a hard wood forest make this trail interesting, be prepared if you plan to travel this trail.

Short ‘n’ Sweet Trail

1.5 miles, easiest hikingThis trail begins and ends on Knowlton Hill Rd. A loop trail can be made using a small section of Knowlton Hill Road to return to the parking area. The trail features some steep drop-offs and has nice vistas along the western portion. It intersects and runs along with Colt Trail for a short section.

Sprocket Trail

3.5 miles, more difficult hikingThe trail is accessed from the old model airport parking lot off of Van Gorder Road or at the intersection of Van Gorder Rd and Sharon Lane. It crosses the old airport’s overgrown tarmac, traverses several streams, and returns to the old airport parking lot. Shorter trail loops can be formed by using two short-cuts built into the trail.

Stallion Trail

1.7 miles, easiest hikingLocated on Haul Road, along the southern border of the park, the trail travels along the edge of a pine plantation and passes through a hard wood forest over to the old airport parking area, runs along Sprocket trail and continues out to Knowlton Hill Road. Transitional areas such as this are known to harbor a variety of wildlife, including many bird species.

Switchback Trail

3.0 miles, more difficult hikingLocated at the intersection of Haul Road and Five Points Extension, this trail travels uphill through a pine forest and crosses Five Points Road. This trail intersects Gelding Trail in three locations.

Van Gorder Trail

1.4 miles, more difficult hikingLocated at the intersection of Van Gorder and Haul roads, the trail travels along a ridge through deciduous forest. This trail has nice vistas along a ridgeline and two very steep climbs. The southern section is a hard wood forest and the northern section passes through a pine forest. The trail is named for the Van Gorder family who stills owns a large tract of land in the middle of Hillman State Park.

Vista Trail

0.1 mile, more difficult hikingAccessed from Meadow Trail near the connector to Old Mare Trail, this trail offers a beautiful view of the western section of the park and contains PCG wildlife food plots. Be prepared for a steep climb.

Wetland Trail

2.1 miles, easiest hikingThe loop trail is accessed from Five Points Extension and passes four ponds where beaver, duck, and song bird activity is common. The trail connects to Old Mare on the northern end and intersects Miller Airport Trail.